Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Henry VIII's queens slay in fun, edgy female-empowered show.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
SIX the Musical Live!
What's the Story?
Henry VIII's queens reclaim their stories in SIX THE MUSICAL LIVE!, the high-energy stage musical that's one part pop concert, one part musical, and 100% female empowerment. The six original West End queens (Jarnéia Richard-Noel, Millie O'Connell, Natalie Paris, Alexia McIntosh, Aimie Atkinson, and Maiya Quansah-Breed) reprise their roles as the six wives of the infamous Tudor king—Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr—in this award-winning production.
Is It Any Good?
A cheeky trauma-dump competition that's heavy on mic-drop moments, this musical captivates with its strong feminist energy and pop-star vocals. Intimate and up close yet also booming with stage presence, SIX the Musical Live! reunites the live show's six original queens as they reprise their roles with heartfelt commitment and genuine emotion.
That said, while the performances are excellent, the filming can feel a bit lackluster at times, with some questionable camera angles and transitions. But if you can overlook that to focus on the award-winning musical experience, the passionate, playful, powerful show challenges the complicated history of womanhood by looking at it through the lens of a modern, female-empowerment message.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how SIX the Musical Live! makes you think about historical events. How do the wives challenge the accuracy, perspective, and representation of historical events and people?
How does seeing the filmed version of a musical compare to watching it live? What can a film reveal to viewers that a live performance might not? What could be missing from watching via a screen vs. being there in person?
Why might storytellers choose to twist, exaggerate, and/or intentionally change facts about historical figures? What might people misunderstand about Henry VIII's wives if they only watched this show? How can we learn more bout these queens?
How do the wives demonstrate the importance of perseverance and teamwork?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 14, 2026
- Cast : Jarnéia Richard-Noel , Natalie Paris , Millie O'Connell
- Director : Liz Clare
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Musical
- Topics : Activism ( Gender equality ) , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , History , Royalty ( Queens )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 82 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some sexual material and language
- Last updated : August 11, 2026
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